President John Mahama holding the symbolic state sword after it had been presented to him by traditional authorities in New Juaben

Symbolic state sword for President Mahama to go into electoral battle

Kwame Asare Boadu Politics Nov - 03 - 2016 , 07:35

President John Dramani Mahama rounded up his campaign tour of the Eastern Region last Tuesday night with the traditional authorities of New Juaben presenting him with a symbolic state sword to go into electoral battle in the December 7 polls.

At a rally of the NDC at Asokore, near Koforidua, the chiefs also decorated the President with a beautifully designed cloth to demonstrate their appreciation to him for the massive infrastructure his government had provided the traditional area.

The Chief of Suhyen and the Mponoahene of the New Juaben Traditional Area, Okogyeaman Ankomah Basapong, who spoke on behalf of the traditional council after decorating the President,said the chiefs of the area were solidly behind the President as he sought re-election.

He stated that the traditional sword was to aid President Mahama to clinch the much anticipated victory in the election.

Okogyeaman Basapong said it was always important to support someone who was doing something good and pledged the continuous support of the chiefs as President Mahama moved to bring more development to the area.

He mentioned the reconstruction of the Koforidua --Bunso road and the numerous schools and other projects as some of the notable achievements of the President in the traditional area.

He expressed the hope that the second term of the President would bring more development to New Juaben.

President dares NPP

Addressing the rally, President Mahama challenged the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to show their record in the Eastern Region while in government.

"I am challenging them to show just one senior high school or one hospital they built in the Eastern Region while in government, " he dared the main opposition party.

President Mahama asked the people of the region to reject the NPP and put their trust in the National Democratic Congress (NDC ) which had the proven record of delivering on its promises.

NDC record

Touching on the performance of his government in the region,the President mentioned that 13 community day senior high schools were being built, while 104 Community Health Improvement Services (CHIPS) compound had been built. Asokore had also been provided with a new hospital.

Besides, in the areas of roads, extension of electricity and potable water, a lot had been done.

But he indicated that as President, he had taken some tough decisions all in the interest of the nation.

President Mahama urged the people to have confidence in him as he sought a second term, promising that he would never fail them.

The final day of the President's campaign saw him at Sempoa, Mpraeso, Osiem, Asokore and Koforidua.

His activities for the day travelled deep into the night,yet the party supporters stayed in the night at Asokore and Koforidua to give him a rousing welcome.

It appears the Eastern Region will be an interesting battlefield, especially as the NDC is determined to share the popular votes equally with the NPP.

In the 2012 election, the NPP's Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo won in only two regions, Eastern and Ashanti.

Nana Akufo-Addo polled 665,462 votes, representing 56.91 per cent of valid votes cast as against 483,998 votes or 42.03 per cent by President Mahama in the the Eastern Region .

For the parliamentary election, the NPP won 26 seats as against seven by the NDC.

Akufo-Addo tired

The General Secretary of the NDC, Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, said Nana Akufo-Addo was too old to meet the tough demands of the presidency.